SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Tax haven allegations and regulatory criticisms leveled against Bermuda by some government officials are unmerited, uninformed and, in some cases, vindictive, roundtable participants said during the 2013 Bermuda Captive Conference.

“We have to be able to tell the Bermuda story, and the Bermuda story where we absolutely provide something of value — through insurance — to the global economy,” Everard T. Richards, Bermuda's minister of finance, said during Monday's roundtable discussion.

During meetings in Europe last week, Mr. Richards said he was astonished “by the rise in temperature — particularly in London — about this tax haven theory.”

“We provide an essential service for the risk management of the global economy,” the finance minister said. “But we are living in a hostile environment at this moment.”

Another panelist, Bradley L. Kading, president of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, said Bermuda's proponents can tell a story that counters the domicile's critics.

“Anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism — Bermuda's been leading the way on these laws for years,” Mr. Kading said.

“The need to go out there and market has grown exponentially over the past six months,” said Stephen Catlin, chief executive and deputy chairman of Hamilton, Bermuda-based Catlin Group Ltd. “There's vindictiveness about this and a lack of knowledge, which is quite worrying.”

Asked about suggestions that insurers are leaving Bermuda, Craig Swan, managing director-supervision of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, disputed the notion, saying the island's new registrations are up over the same period last year.

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Always, “companies come and companies go,” Mr. Swan said. “It depends on the age of a company, what it wants to do, its business model, its strategy.”

Lawrence Bird, president of the Bermuda Insurance Managers Association and managing director of Marsh IAS Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd. in Hamilton, moderated the roundtable.

In remarks preceding the roundtable, Craig Cannonier, Bermuda's premier since December, assured the captive conference audience that the island's government values the industry.

“We appreciate you. But not only do we appreciate what you do, this government is committed to ensuring that we protect your industry,” Mr. Cannonier said.